Find out what’s going on this weekend in Moorestown and the surrounding areas.
From Moorestown to Philadelphia to the Jersey Shore, there are tons of holiday events taking place this weekend. However, holiday festivities aren’t the only activities happening on Saturday and Sunday. Find out what other events there are to enjoy around the region.
In Moorestown
- The Moorestown Lions Club will hold its 56th Annual Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3. The parade will begin at noon at the corner of Chester and Central avenues, traveling north to Main Street. It will then travel south on Main Street until it reaches Church Street and the reviewing stand, where it will proceed south to Memorial Field. The parade will include performances by string bands, bag pipers, the Moorestown High School Band and the Liberty Band. In addition, there will be marching units and floats, with the theme of this year’s parade being “Famous Books.”
- Immediately following the parade, Santa will be making a stop at the 10th Annual Luncheon with Santa in the Our Lady of Good Counsel School Cafeteria, located at 23 Prospect St. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus, Moorestown Council №1082, the event will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., immediately after the holiday parade. The luncheon will be held rain or shine, even if the holiday parade is cancelled due to inclement weather. All community members are welcome, and the cost of the event will be $5 per person for AllUCanEat, not exceeding $20 per family.
- Also taking place right after the Lions Holiday Parade, the MoorArts Holiday Arts Festival will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the 3rd Floor of the Church Street Recreation Center. Supported by the Moorestown Parks and Recreation Department, student art work, ranging from paintings and sketches to sculpture and photography will be selected from K-12 art classes in the Moorestown Township Public Schools, and presented to the public at this traditional seasonal event. While admiring the art exhibit, festival goers will be treated to an exciting lineup of live musical entertainment performed by middle and elementary school students as they perform seasonal and original musical numbers.
- The day after the Arts Festival, on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., residents are invited to celebrate the Advent season at the First United Methodist Church, located on Camden and Pleasant Valley avenues at the Community-Sing of Handel’s Messiah for the 35th consecutive year. The event will be under the direction of Glenn Rodgers, organist and director of music at the First United Methodist Church. Accompanying on the organ will be Joseph Russell.
Around South Jersey
· Main Street in Medford Township will be transformed into a quaint winter wonderland this weekend as Medford Sunrise Rotary presents the 27th annual Dickens Festival on Saturday. The event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. There will be a number of food options, attractions, an ice carver, live nativity and more. For a full list of activities, visit www.medfordsunriserotary.org.
· One of the largest living nativities in the area opens in Mt. Laurel this weekend. Fellowship Community Church is holding its 25th annual live nativity event. The walkthrough includes 13 indoor and outdoor scenes and takes about 45 minutes to complete. There will be homemade cookies and hot chocolate at the end of the walkthrough. The walkthrough is free to visit. For more information and directions, visit www.livingnativity.org.
· A number of tree lightings are taking place across South Jersey this weekend. One of these will take place in Berlin Borough on Saturday. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Village Square in front of Borough Hall, located at 59 South White Horse Pike. Santa Claus will arrive on a fire truck and will greet kids at the gazebo. There will be cookies and hot chocolate available.
At the Jersey Shore
· West Cape May will ring in the holidays with its annual Christmas Parade on Saturday. The parade will begin at 5 p.m. at the West Cape May firehouse and continue south on Broadway. It will then go onto Perry Street and finish along Carpenter Lane. The rain date for the parade is Dec. 4. For more information and a parade lineup, visit www.westcapemay.us.
· Model train fans will want to be in Ocean City this weekend for the town’s Train Show on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s show will take place at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center at 6th Street and the Boardwalk. There will be dozens of trains on display as well as vendors. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children. For more information, call (609) 399–6111.
In Philadelphia
· South Street Headhouse District will welcome the holiday season with its Christmas parade and tree lighting on Sunday beginning at 3 p.m. The parade will begin at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens at 11th and South streets and end at Headhouse Shambles, located at 2nd and Lombard streets. The tree lighting will follow the parade at 5 p.m. There will be a number of South Street vendors and entertainment after the parade as well. Visit www.southstreet.com/event/south-street-christmas-parade for more information.
· American’s oldest street, Elfreth’s Alley, will also be decked out for the holidays this weekend as America’s oldest street host its annual Deck the Alley event on Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. Guests can visit more than a dozen private homes along the street. The celebration feature caroling, refreshments, story telling, an upside-down Christmas tree and a visit by Benjamin Franklin. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children. Visit www.elfrethsalley.org for more information.
